Future lies in mobile computing devices and nobody understands it better than Facebook, which has joined GSM Association (GSMA). GSMA is the global body of major wireless operators, developers and mobile companies.
GSMA was formed in 1982 by Confederation of European Posts and Telecommunications. The purpose behind the foundation of GSMA was to help vendors in creating better design with an efficient technology.
Now since Facebook has joined the association we can expect its involvement in the Mobile World Congress (MWC) too. MWC is an annual event where road map of the mobile world is presented. Companies participating in MWC can interact with the larger audience over live-streams or blogs. However, it would be interesting to see Facebook on the same platform as social networks generally don't get involved much.
"It ensures our continued tight alignment with operators worldwide and the issues they care most about. The broad reach of GSMA and its members along with the wide organizational footprint are also benefits to Facebook. Understanding the issues facing operators (and the industry as a whole) across regions is not only important to Facebook but to the efforts of internet.org," said Derick Mains, a spokesman for Facebook.
Targeting mobile users has always remained one of the priorities of Facebook. In the third quarter of 2013, Facebook reported that there were 874 million mobile monthly active users. This is an increment of 45 percent compared to same quarter last year. Presently, 78% of the users access Facebook through smartphones and other mobile devices.
Association of Facebook with GSMA might also lead to its involvement in creating better internet too. The initiative is popularly known as internet.org. It has already members like MediaTek, Samsung Electronics. Qualcomm, Nokia, Ericsson and Opera Software on its board.
